Japan Tour - Part 6 (Last part)

 The Last Leg of the
Japan Tour

In Tokyo for an overnight,
then to HIROSHIMA!

Back at Haneda
for 2 days in
Hiroshima

Tuesday, April 18 - TOKYO TO HIROSHIMA

Haneda Airport to Hiroshima Airport 

Leaving Haneda Airport

Heaven

Meet Yayoi and her team at the airport...

And we're off to Peace Park

There it is!

While Yayoi and her team have their tour,
Dave and have a walk around before we have lunch.

The memorial to "Sadako and the 1,000 Cranes"

A-Bomb Dome

LUNCH

D&I have lunch at RISTORANTE MARIO

Meet Peter for a 3 hour tour of Peace Park. 

The Peace Memorial Museum

The Heart of the Park

Looking through the Cenotaph
The Flame of Peace

Children's Peace Monument

A-Bomb Dome

*

Back at Sadako's Paper Crane monument

Peter sings the "Song of Peace" for us.

The plaque and
actual A-Bomb Dome

The Bell of Peace

Every time the mallet strikes the A-Bomb Medallion on the Bell,
it's another cry for Peace.

Gates of Peace

"Gates of Peace" are made by the same French artists

that constructed the "Wall for Peace" monument in Tour Eiffel Park,

a glass structure with the word "peace" etched in 32 languages and 18 alphabets.

It was designed by Clara Halter and built by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte.

We then walked across the river to the location where

the A-Bomb exploded 600 meters feet above the spot.

Plaque at Ground Zero
(Not in Peace Park)

Peter gave a passionate, informative and moving
tour of Peace Park.

We try to check in, but Yayoi and team are meeting

so, Dave and I go to The Okonomiyaki for okonomiyaki. 

After much texting and messaging...

We check-in at the Hilton Hiroshima. 

Relaxing in my room

We use the pool and sauna. 

Drinks and snacks at ZATTA Bar & Lounge of hotel.

Just enough to eat and drink
now it's time for bed...
Nite-nite

Wednesday, April 19 - HIROSHIMA TO TOKYO

Full day in Hiroshima

Last view from room

Check out and begin our day

Peace Memorial Museum

Entrance 

Diorama of the bombed area
that is now Peace park

I couldn't bear to photograph the "memorabilia" of the bombing...

Burnt ragged clothes, melted lanterns both stone 

and metal, radiation shadows of people on walls, 

numerous photos of people covered in 

"Black Rain" hiding under bridges, 

and more terrifying images of the aftermath.

*

We sober up and 

then ferry to Miyajima to see

O-torii Gate and Hokoku Shrine

  

We arrive, but first...

Fried oysters for lunch

Oysters are the island's specialty

Walk to O-torii Gate and Hokoku Shrine

Reminders of home...
Wisteria

First glimpse

O-torii Gate

Hokoku Shrine

 

Then to the Five-storied pagoda

Walk back to Ferry Landing

Ferry back to Peace Park

Taxi to Airport to meet Yayoi and her team

With Hatsue at the
ANA Lounge

Back to Tokyo and the Garden Hotel. Nite nite.

Thursday, April 20/21 - TOKYO/HANEDA TO LAX

Last day in Tokyo

Pack for home, finish part 4 of blog, start part 5.

Check out - drop luggage off at Yayoi's and say our good-byes.

Ginko trees on the way
to the National Stadium

National Stadium

 

 

Now a final meal at

TWO ROOMS GRILL

A beer and a Kiwi Martini

Crabcake donuts

Seafood Pasta

View from patio at
Two Rooms Grill

*

Before going to the airport

there is time for a

 stop at the local Onsen in AzabuJuban

Azabu Kokubisui Hot Spring Takenoyu

A nice way to finish a trip to Japan
and start the long flight home

Back to the Apartment to pick up luggage
and go to Airport Haneda

Check in and make my way to ANA Lounge
for 3.5 hour wait for flight

A bite to eat before the long flight

Now boarding group 3

but I'm in Group 5

Arrive LAX - 7 pm PDT, April 20

LAX at last!

Immigration for about 45 minutes 

Another 20 minutes to the transportation center

Taxi line is about 10 minutes long

Taxi ride is another 40 minutes

*

When I arrive, it is dark

John is waiting in the driveway.

Good to be home.